Can-washing machine.



C'. DOERING, Jn. CAN WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION F|LDy IAY 25| |914. 1,149,813.

Patented Allg. 10, 1915.

C. DOERING, JR.

CAN WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION msn MAY 25. 1914.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

` 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

narran STATES rA'rnNr orrioii.

CHARLES Donnino, Jn.,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CAN-WASHIN G MACHINE.

Speciciation of Letters Patent. Patented Aug; 10, 191.5.

Application filed May 25, 1914. Serial No.-810,6G7J

My inventionrelates to a machine more 5 especially intended vfor use in washing ice cream cans, namely cans .provided with cylindrical side walls of the character -disclosed in the drawings.

The object of my invention is to provide amachine of the character referred` to, which is adapted to scrub or clean cans of various sizes, b oth in length and diameter, commensurate with theparticula'r' size 'of machine; lthe machine being adapted to,`

clean both the inside and outside surfaces of the can at one and the same time.

Another object of my invention 1s to provide a machine wherein the scrubbers or can' cleaning members may be readily removed for renewal or repair; and wherein the scrubbers or can cleaning members, especially those adapted to clean'the interior of the cans, are so constructed that the por-'- tions receiving the greater amountofwear can be readily renewed or replaced andl placedin proper operative relation with lthe' remainder or main portionof the brush, as will moreA fully appear from the following detailed description. I

A further object of my invention is to prol vide means whereby the cans may be easily inverted over the interior scrubbers or can cleaning members, and, therefore, with the upper ends of the cans beneath the normal water level in the machine, said means being adapted to convey the inclosed or pocketed air from within the inverted can, and at the same time maintain a constant supply of clean water at the upper surface or water level, both within the cans and to' the outside thereof, as will be more fully set forth in the following detailed description thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical -sectional view of my improved machine, illustrating the scrubbers or can cleaning members in side'elevation and Vdisclosing an inverted can on oneof'the scrubbers or can cleaning members,in longitudinal sec* tion. Fig. 2 is a .top plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of my improved machine, with the outside bottom scrubbers or cleaning members shownbrcken away. Fig. 4 is a detailed v'iew of the intermediate or outside scrubber and one of the side or interior scrubbers, showing the same in longitudinal section. v Fig. 5 isa vertical sectional view of a portionof the scrubber operating mechanism or driving means taken -on the line a-a of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a ver tical sectional view of the upper part of the overfiowand airconveying member. Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view o f the removable top portion of one of the can scrubbers -or mem ers. .v

In the particular invention, as disclosed inthe drawings, 10' represents a 'tank or receptacle preferably constructed of sheet metal formed so as'to contain water during the scrubbing or clean` ing of the cans; it being understood, of

course, that the tank' or receptacle may be made of any size commensurate with the size vof the cans for which vthe machine is' intended.v .The upper part of the tank or recep- .tacle is shown provided with suitable faucets as at. 11, whereby both hot and cold'water f may be allowed to iow into the receptacle f from anysuitable sourcegof supply with whichthe faucets may be connected.

preferably of a single piece, which is adapted to besecured beneath the bottom proper of the'reoeptacle 10 in any suitable manner so as to form a comparatively water-tight connection at points where the aperture and projecting portions ofthe casting or member register with or extend through apertures formed in the bottom proper of the receptacle. The member 12 may be of any suitable construction and is shown provided with a passage 13 extending longitudiexemplication of my l The tank or receptacle'- isi-preferably Y -formed of sheet ir'ietal, and'I prefer to pro-v vide an 4ap'ertured casting or member 12,v

eov

loc

nally therethrough, theorificeof said pas` 12 is provided with the upwardly extending port 14 and bosses 15 and 16,V provided with ports or openings extending through to the upper surface of the member 12 and communicating with the channel or passage 13.

The bosses 15 and 16 are adapted to eX- tend through openings in the bottom proper of receptaclelO, as very clearly shown in sage being at the -f-,ends of the castinglor member as very clearly shown in Fig. 1.V As shown in Fig. 1, the casting or `member Al (l :Ela

Fie. 1. Tlieportsbr 'openings 'in`bds`s'es 15` au 16 are adapted to receive the ends ofthe tubes 17 and 18, respectively; which'receive the hollow cores or cylindrical portions 19 and 20, in which the bristles of thebrush'esl are secured in any suitable manner, as very clearly Ashown at 21 in Fig; 4; the bristles'o' smaller diameter than brush 23,' although both brushes may-be of the same diameter if desired. Secured to the lower ends of the cores 19 and 20 of the brushes 22 and 23, are the gears 24 and 25, res eetively; the ears being lpreferably provi ed with the portions or extended hubs, as clearly shown in Fig. 4 at 26, intended to receive the screws or bolts whereby the gears are secured to the cores of the brushes; the lower surfaces'of the gears being shown as resting upon the'bosses 15 and 16 formed on the member 12 and, therefore, ata slight distance removed lfrom thebottoin proper of the' receptacle '10. y y

The gears 24 and 25 are arrangedjin'mesh with the peripheral part of the lar e ear 27, which is preferab gated hub portion 27 and is rotatably mounted on'the stationary shaft or rod 28 which is preferably secured in the boss 29 of member 12; boss 29 being provided at a pointinterinediate ofbosses '15 Aand 16, as very clearly;sho\vn in Fignl.

Mounted on the sh'ft .28 is s core 30 of the intermediate bi'ush`31.

ear 27 and ismade to rotate' with ear 27 y means of the pins 32,-see Figu; t e con-A nection between brush v31 and hub 27* being such, however` that the brush 31 mayberemoved from the shaft 28' when desired.

The core of brush 31, unlikethe cores of side brushes 22 and 23, is preferably made to extend lover the top oi shaft'28 and may be provided with bristles throughout the top- 12. The gear 27 is also formed on its u per surface inl the nature of a bevelgear," w ich is adapted to mesh with beveled'gear 33, see- Fige., 2 and' I5. @Groary 38 is Iscoured tof'thd' driven shaftB/i, whieh-latteiii| preferably' rotatably lnoimted i'n the braoketior'l'upport angey provided wit i e on TbecOre of brush 31 rests upon the extended hub 27'* off mounte 35 mounted 'at a suitablepoint in the bottom of receptacle 10. The shaft 34 extends 'throughthelrearfwall ofreceptacle l0 and is provided at its outer end with a belt rceeiving' ulley which is preferably loosely y on the shaft so as to be free to rotate'thereon'without imparting rotation to shaft 34iwhen rotation of the brushes is not desired.

A clutch mechanism 37 is feathered on shaft 34 so" as to 4move lon it-udinally thereof and rotate` therewith, tius enabling the mechanism'tobe thrown into clutching engagement: with the hub of pulley 3G and inipart rotation or ower from pulley 36 to shaft* 34 when t e clutch ymechanism is moved into engagement with the pulley. The clutch mechanisml37 may be operated by any7 suitable means; I show the sume controlled by means of lever 38 which is pivotally secured at 39 to a suitable bracket secured on the wall of the receptacle 10, as very clearly shown in Fig. 3. It is evident from the contruction shown in Fig. 3, that when the upper end of lever 3S is moved toward the receptacle 10, as shown in that figure, the clutch-mechanismfwill be in operative engagement with pulley 36; while movement of the upper end of the-lever 33 in the opposite direction -will move the clutch-mechanism out of clutching engage`- nient of pulley' ,36.

I prefer to construct the can exterior scrubbei' 31 and the can-interior scrubber-s 22 and yconstruction shown and described` 23, with a removable top portion or section as clearly shown at 40 and 40 in Figs. 4 and 7, because the upper portion of these scrubbers or brushes receives more wear and tear than the remainder of the brushes. I have illustrated the sections 40 and 40 having slot and pin connections with the main or body portions of the brushes, in order that the top sections inay be removed and replaced by new sections of equal diameter. In the preferred construction, the bottom portions of the cores of the 'sections' 40 and 40 are similarly rovided with an annularplate as at 41, see ig. 7, having the slots 42, preferably urranged diameti'ically' opposite each other`v with the ends of the slots presented in opositedircctions enlarged, as clearly shown in Fig.v 7, to-ieceive the heads of the pins4 43 shown in'I*`ig.-4; these pins being secured in the cores of theinain or body portions of the brushes. vIt is clearly evident from the that when the enlarged portionsof the slots 1; are brought to register with the heads ot' the pins'43j, theiremovablesections 40 and 40 mav .be'put into proper position and 'with a slight turn of the section,seeurely locked in p ace. It will lbe understood, ol coursethat tlie-enlarged ortions of the slots L will noti be'ibroug it -to register with the headsof tlie'pins-t until tlie'scctioiis l0 Cri cured atthe lower end of overflow pipe` 45. The overflow pipe 45 is held in proper position by means of' suitable brackets 4 6 and 1T and arranged to be moved vertically 5 so that the valve il may be removed from its seat, nainelyorifice 1l,and allow the receptacle or tank to be drained, as clearly shown in I"ig.1. Adjacent the upper end of overflow pipe l5, l lprefer to provide it "wit.h.an overflow orifice l5, which orifice may be controlled by the sleeve 18 seated Jin the upper end of overflow pipe l5 and held in proper position by the flange 4S on the sleeve. The sleeve -lS-is provided with an orifice Shadapted to registerwith orilice l5, when itis desired to permit the sur-l face water in the tank or receptacle to overflow or gradually drain ott ,through overflow pipe l5, because in the preferred con- ,30 struction of my invention, the .overflow pipe :is adapted to extend above the normal water level inthe receptacle or tank 10, as the pipe 45 is also intended to serve as an air outlet when the-cans are inserted in place over the Q interior seriibbers or brushes :22 and 23.

In order that the pipe or member may be readily moved so as to lift stopper or valve t4 from its seat, I provide a link t9. the upper end whereof is pivotally secured 40 at 49 tofthe bell-crank lever 50, the short end or arm whereof is pivotally secured at to the wall of the receptacle 10, while .the link 1t) is secured to the lever 50 at a ,point intermediate of its ends. It is evident i5 ,from the construction shown and described,

that movement of lever 50 about its pivotal point 50a so as to bring pivotal point 49 above and substantially in alinement with pivotal point 50, will raise overflow pipe 0 l5 upward and maintain the latter in its raised position; while movement of lever 50. so as to bring the pivotal point 49 to either side of the vertical plane of pivotal point 50, will permit the pipe -l to drop i into place.

lt is apparent that with the water level in tbe receptacle at a point slightlyabove the tops of brushes 22 and 23, when the cans (one of which is indicated at A in Fig. 1) are inverted over the brushes 22 and 23 respectively. the air in the can will be forced toward the bottom of the "an, (the bottom being uppermost when the can is put into place for scrubbingl and unless some means are provided whereby this cushion or pocket of air is permitted to escape, it would be impossible to properly seat the cans in place on the scrubbers or brushes. With my improved construction, tlie air will be permitted to escape from the can-interior by means of the tubes 17 aud 1S. respectively, into the passage or channel 13 arranged in n'ien'iber 12. and from thence upward through orifice 1l and out through the top of overflow pipe or member 45, thereby allowing the cans to come to rest on top ofthe brushes and permit the bristles of the brush to contact with the interior bottoni of the can. as well as with the inner side walls thereof.

ln addition to the fun:tion of providing a proper air vent, it is evident thatl the tubes 1T and 1S, respectively, will also permit the slush and grease, which usually rises to the surface of the water within the can. to es cape through the respective tubes 1T and 1S' and flow into the passage 13 of member 12 and be discharged by means of the discharge pipe 51 which may lead to a sewer connection.

The passage 13 in member 12 is shown extending from end to end of the member, thus permitting a discharge connection being formed at either one or both ends of the member, if desired; one of the ends of the member being shown closed in Fig. 1 by a suitable screw plug 52, where but one sewer connection is provided.

livotally securedto the upper endsof the `receptacle or tank 10, and at points in alineinent with the brushes :22 and 23, I provide the bottom scrubbers 53 and Vthese brushes comprising the handle portions 53 and 5in. respectively, of proper length, to which the brushes and 5l are secured; the brushes and -t being of proper size and adapted to come into contact with the bottoms of the cans when swung downwardljv7 into the horizontal position indicated to the left in Figs. 1 and 2.

The machine is so geared as to give the proper speed to the respective brushes, each -of which is preferably made to revolve at a different speed so as .to Aprovide the proper scrubbing effect on the walls of the can; the brushes being so arranged as to be in constant contact with the wall of the can at a point where the can extends intermediate of the brushes. For example, the can A, in Figs. 1 and 2, is shown inverted over brush 23, thus bringing the side wall thereof into contact with briish 23 and intermediate brush 31, the former scrubbing the interior while the latter scrubs the exterior. By reason of the different speeds of rotation of' the brushes, the can will rotate at a speed differing from that of either brush, and thereby provide frictional contactvvith the brushes which will cause the can to be thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned throughout the interior and exterior thereof. It is evident .A whereby the flow therethrough may be shutoff or controlled during the operation of the machine.

I have shown and described 'what I believe to be the simplest and best form of my invention, but the same may be modified in certain respects without, however, departing receptacle provided with an outlet in the bottom thereof, a vertically movableopen ended member adapted to be seatedin the.

outlet and controly the iow therethrough, Va plurality of brushes vertically disposed in the receptacle, means extending centrally A from the spirit of the invention, and I do `ltlirough the brushesl and through the bottom not wish to-be understood, therefore, as limiting myself to the exact construction shown and described.

" Vhat I claim is Y l. A can washing machine, comprising a receptacle Vprovided with an outlet, vertically movable means whereby said outlet is controlled, said means being arranged to act as an overiow while seated in place in the outlet, a plurality of vertically disposed brushes or scrubbers, the cores of -the brushes being provided with passages extending longitudinally therethrough, a mem- -ber secured to the bottom'of the' receptacle and provided. with a passage arranged in communication with said outlet and the passages in the cores of the brusheswhereby air and water may be conveyed from points adjacent to the upper ends of the brushes-or scrubbers, and means whereby the brushes are simultaneously operated.

2. A can washing machine, .comprising a receptacle, a plurality of vertically disposed members secured in the bottom of said receptacle, a 'portion of said members being provided with passagesextending longitudinally therethrough from top to bottom, serubbers or brushes mounted on said members so as vto rotate and so related to one another as tocontact respectively with the canexterior and interior, :a member disposedA along the bottom of the receptacle and pro' v ided with a: passage extending therethrough, said passage being `in communication with the members having the longitudinal passages whereby air and water may be the brushes are rotated.

3. A can washing machine, comprising of the receptacle wherebyl air and water may be conveyed from the tops of the brushes,

a conduit arranged along-'the bottom of the receptacle and in communication-with said means and'with said outlet whereby the air conveyed through said means-is permitted to pass upward through the 'open ended member seated in the outlet, means whereby the.me mber is controlled, and' means `where-v by the brushes are rotated.

5. A can washingmachine, comprising a receptacle, provided with an outlet'in the bottom thereof, vertically -movabley means whereby the outlet is controlled, a plurality of vertically disposed brushes mountedon the bottom of the receptacle so as to rotate, a portion of the brushes being provided with passages extending longitudinally 'therethrough so as jto e'ectcommunication between the upper. part` of said brushes and the bottom of the receptacle, means disposed along the bottom of the receptacle and in communication with said passages and with said outlet, and means whereby the brushes may be simultaneously'rotated. y

6. A can washing'machine, comprising a receptacle provided with an outletin the Y bottom thereof, 'a' plurality of vertically disposed brushes mounted inthe bottom of the -receptacleso as to rotate, some of the brushesbeing provided with passages extending longitudinally therethrough so'as to establish communication between the tops of the brushes and the bottom of the receptacle, a member disposed along the bottom of the receptacleand provided with a passage having communication withl the pas Y.

-sages of the brushes and with the outlet of `the receptacle, means adapted to control the outflow through said outlet, said means be- Y. ing provided with apassage extending longitudinally therethrough, so as to permit air at the upper ends of the brushes to escape through the passage of said last mentioned means and to constitute an overiiow for the receptacle, means whereby the first mentioned means may be moved into and out of controlling relation with the outlet of the receptacle, and means whereby the brushes are simultaneously operated.

7. A can washing machine, comprising a fluid-containing receptacle provided with an outlet in the bottom thereof, a plurality of vertically disposed brushes rotatably mounted in the bottom of the receptacle, some of the brushes being adapted to receive inverted cans and to scrub the interiors thereof while the other brush is adapted to contact with and scrub the exteriors of the cans, the brushes adapted to receive the inverted cans being provided with concentric passages extending from the tops of the brushes to the bottom of the receptacle so as to permit the escape of air and water from within the inverted can, means secured to the lower ends of the brushes whereby they are simultaneously rotated, means secured to the bottom of the receptacle and provided with a passage arranged in communication with the passages of the brushes and in communication with the outlet of the receptacle, and means adapted to extend above the water level in the receptacle and ar' ranged to be normally seated in the outlet of the receptacle so as to control the How therethrough, said means being arranged to convey the air from the passage in the member beneath the receptacle and permit the same to escape above the water level in the receptacle and to constitute an overflow for the receptacle.

S. A can washing machine comprising a fluid-containing receptacle provided with an outlet, a plurality of vertically disposed brushes rotatably mounted in the bottom of the receptacle, the brushes adapted to extend into the cans to'be scrubbed being provided with passages extending from top to bottom 4 thereof. so as to convey air and Water from within the cans and in proximity to the upper ends of the brushes, a conduit disposed along the bottom of the receptacle and in communication with the passages of the brushes and the outlet of the' receptacle, means extending from the point above the normal water level in the receptacle and into the outlet so as to control the flow through said outlet, said means being adapted to constitute an overflow and air vent, means whereby the brushes are simultaneously rotated at predetermined speeds, and brushes pivotally mounted at the upper end of the receptacle so as to be swung into and out of scrubbing contact with the bottoms of the cans inverted over the brushes.

9. A can washing machine, comprising a receptacle provided with an outlet in the bottom thereof, vertically disposed members secured in the bottom of the receptacle, a portion of said members being provided with passages extending from top to bot'- tom, cylindrical brushes removably mounted on said members and adapted to-rotate thereon, gearing secured to the lower ends of the brushes whereby they are simultaneously rotated at predetermined speeds, a conduit secured along the bottom of the re ceptacle and in communication with the passages in said members and the outlet of the receptacle, vertically movable means seated in the outlet of the receptacle and adapted to extend above the normal water level in the receptacle, said means being arranged to act as an air vent and overflow, means whereby the first mentioned means may be controlledand its relation to the outlet of the receptacle determined, and means Where by power is imparted to said gearing.

JOHN H. BAUMGARTNER, EDNA OTTO. 

